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Family Exploration to Hokkaido
From canoeing and woodcarving to planting a tree, follow the Chew family on a journey through the beautiful eastern Hokkaido to create a memorable trip for Skyler’s 13th birthday!
DAY 1
Changi Airport
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7 hours by international flight
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Haneda Airport
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2 hours by domestic flight
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Kushiro Airport
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30 minutes by car
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Nature’s Embrace: Canoeing at Akan River
Founded by award-winning photographer and nature guide Makoto Ando, the Wilderness Lodge Hickory Wind offers nature activities all year round such as canoeing along the Akan River and trekking through the Kushiro Marsh. Rest in the lodge’s charming rustic rooms and try the local cuisine as well.
Poh Chang’s Favorite Spot in this trip
What I enjoyed most about this trip is day one’s canoeing at Hickory Wind. That was the time we spend together as a family in the calm lake, so it’s one of the most memorable moment. I like it very much.
Wilderness Lodge Hickory Wind
Address: Kita14, Setsurigenya, Tsurui, Akan, Hokkaido 085-1200
Website: https://hickorywind.jp/top-en.html
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45 minutes by car
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Dine and Stay at Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings
Dine with breathtaking vistas at Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings, a luxurious accommodation, and sample Hokkaido's seasonal delights. It also offers various types of onsens and bedrock baths. If you're up for some adventure, approach the Tsuruga Adventure Base SIRI counter and join their day tours to explore Lake Akan!
Skyler’s Favorite Spot in this trip
The food we got to eat was what I enjoyed the most in this trip! I had some interesting cuisines in Tsuruga Wings, and on second day it was buffet style so there are a lot of variety of interesting food.
Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings
Address: 4-6-10, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website: https://www.tsurugawings.com/en/
DAY 2
Cruise and explore nature in Lake Akan
The Akan Sightseeing Cruise gives you the chance to journey through Lake Akan's scenic spots. The seasonal sights offer a new perspective at every visit. The cruise also features the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center on Churui Island where you can learn about the rare and unique marimo algae.
Akan Sightseeing Cruise
Address: 1-5-20 Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website: http://www.akankisen.com/_eng/index.html
Fulfilling lunch at a local bakery cafe
Located right beside Lake Akan is BAR DE PAN, offering Hokkaido’s essence in their signature baguette sandwiches and locally sourced succulent pork and beef. Choose from an excellent selection of drinks and desserts, including ice cream made from rich Hokkaido milk.
Bakery Café & Bar -BAR DE PAN-
Address: Forest of Lake Akan Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka 1F, 1-6-1, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website (Japanese only): https://www.hanayuuka.com/akan-bardepan/
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13 minutes on foot
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Craft and Connect with Ainu Artistry
Learn about Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, through their traditional crafts like embroidery, believed to ward off evil, and wood carving, a tool to pass down oral histories. Experience unique craftsmanship up close and take home the pieces you make as keepsakes. *Currently conducted in Japanese only; consider hiring an interpreter.
Onne Cise
Address: 4-7-19, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website: https://www.akanainu.jp/onnecise/en/
Witness an Ancient Dance for the Gods
Behold a seamless fusion of ancient dance and digital art in a 30-minute masterpiece unveiling Ainu culture and tradition – the Lost Kamuy. Kamuy (gods in Ainu culture) are brought to life in this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Lake Akan Ainu Theatre.
Akanko Ainu Theater Ikor
Address: 4-7-19, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website: https://www.akanainu.jp/lostkamuy/en/
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5 minutes on foot
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Capturing the Beauty of Hokkaido at Akan Art Gallery
Discover Hokkaido's culture and beauty in photographs, wood carvings, and silver at Akan Art Gallery. Opened in April 2022, the first floor sells artworks, while the second features photography exhibition 'Ordinary Miracle' by Makoto Ando, a renowned nature guide who also founded the Wilderness Lodge Hickory Wind listed above.
Akan Art Gallery & Art Gift Shop
Address: 4-5-7, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website (Japanese only): https://www.lakeakanpark.com/
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10 minutes on foot
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Mesmerizing Night Walk in KAMUY LUMINA
Embark on a journey through the mystic forest of Lake Akan in KAMUY LUMINA, a 50-minute interactive tale of gods and nature. Guided by an owl and armed with an enchanted staff, immerse yourself in Ainu folklore through state-of-the-art scenography and video projections.
KAMUY LUMINA
Address: 1-5-20, Akan Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085-0467
Website: https://www.kamuylumina.jp/en/
DAY 3
Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings
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2 hours by car
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Vegetable Harvesting and Lunch
Try your hand at harvesting seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, corn, herbs and more at Hirota Farm where no pesticide or chemical fertilizers are used. You can also taste the farm’s fresh produce through mouthwatering dishes at café BLANCO.
Rayenne’s Favorite Spot in this trip
I enjoyed myself the most at Hirota farm harvesting foods and vegetables. It’s my first time harvesting food and besides harvesting corn, I actually like harvesting the potatoes and sweet potatoes. Although they are small, I harvested quite a lot!
Hirota Farm
Address: Higashi Memuro Minami 2-sen 27-ban 1, Memuro-cho, Kasai-gun, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.instagram.com/hirotanoen/
cafe BLANCO.
Address: Nishi 6-7, Memuro-cho, Kasai-gun, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.instagram.com/cafeblanco330/
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30 minutes by car
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Visit the Blossoming Spectacle of Shichiku Garden
Stroll in the expansive Shichiku Garden, a floral paradise of 2,500 species cultivated by a 63-year-old flower enthusiast who started it as a hobby. Transforming with the seasons, you can enjoy a spectacle of soft pinks in September and fiery reds in October.
Shichiku Garden
Address: Nishi 4-sen 107, Biei-cho, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido 080-2106
Website (Japanese only): http://shichikugarden.com/
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2 hours 30 minutes by car
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Culinary Tango: Flavors of Latin America in Hokkaido
A gastronomic fusion of Latin American cuisine and Hokkaido's finest ingredients welcomes you at El Asador. Make your visit to Furano truly unforgettable by indulging in their juicy signature steaks, available in a variety of meats including beef, pork, lamb, and chicken.
El Asador Furano Steak House
Address: 13-26 Kitanomine-cho, Furano-shi, Hokkaido 076-0034
Website: https://www.instagram.com/elasadorfuranosteakhouse/
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10 minutes by car
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Nature Meets Luxury at Element Furano
Nestled in Furano's mountains, Element Furano is a boutique hotel offering four exquisite rooms with rustic Japanese elements. Wind down by the fireplace in the cozy communal spaces with high ceilings. Providing easy access to popular tourist spots, it combines luxury and convenience for an extraordinary stay.
Element Furano
Address: Shikauchinojo, Azanakafurano, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido 071-0734
Website: https://www.elementfurano.com/home
DAY 4
Element Furano
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10 minutes by car
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Sustainability Workshop at Furano Nature School
Choose from a variety of programmes at Furano Nature School to gain a deeper understanding about nature and environmental conservation. Go on a journey of sensory exploration in ‘Barefoot Trails’ or learn about trees and plant one yourself in ‘Tree Planting’. *Currently conducted in Japanese only; consider hiring an interpreter.
Dawn’s Favorite Spot in this trip
My favorite activity is the environmental education program at Furano Nature School. It made me think about what we can do more for the environment. I also like the sensory walk, because I felt that I really have to trust my girl who’s holding me. That was very sweet ending to our trip.
Furano Nature School
Address: Shimogoryo, Furano-shi, Hokkaido 076-0017
Website (Japanese only): https://furano-shizenjuku.com/
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10 minutes by car
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Indulge in Furano's Flavours at Kumagera
Savour Furano’s local delicacies made from fresh seafood and vegetables at Kumagera. Founded in 1992, its interior is adorned with local elements like field stones, barn beams, and stone tables reflecting Furano's natural allure. Be sure to try their famous whey curry!
Kumagera Furano
Address: 3-22 Hinode-machi, Furano-shi, Hokkaido 076-0025
Website: https://www.furano.ne.jp/kumagera/en/top.html
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2 hours by car
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New Chitose Airport: Shop, Dine, Relax
Explore Hokkaido's diverse local delicacies, from sweets and snacks to fresh seafood such as sashimi and grilled delights. If you have some time to spare, relax in a rejuvenating onsen or catch a film at Japan’s first airport movie theatre.
New Chitose Airport
Address: Bibi, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido 066-0012
Website: https://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/
Convenience and style at Portom International Hokkaido
Finish the day at traditional Japanese-style suites directly accessible from the airport's international terminal. It is adorned with Japanese artworks such as ukiyo-e by Hokusai and Hiroshige. Give yourself a treat in their onsen or dine in a variety of restaurants serving French or Japanese cuisine.
Portom International Hokkaido
Address: New Chitose Airport International Terminal Building 4F – 8F, Bibi, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido 066-0012
Website: https://www.portom.jp/
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2 hours by domestic flight
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Haneda Airport
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7 hours by international flight
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Changi Airport
Useful Tips
Fly to Tokyo, then GO FURTHER. Rediscover Hokkaido with ANA.
For this trip the Chew family enjoyed Japan domestic flights provided by All Nippon Airways (ANA) to and from Hokkaido, with a smooth transit at Tokyo Haneda Airport. ANA flies to over 40 domestic destinations in Japan! Passengers departing from Singapore can purchase a SGD 90* one way add-on fare for domestic flights in Japan, when you purchase the ticket(s) together with the international flight tickets.
* Excluding airport taxes
Explore the infinite possibilities of Northern Japan
This trip was proudly sponsored by Hokkaido Airports Co, Ltd. Find out how you can visit all parts of vast Hokkaido via their 7 airports located all over the island.
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Published in 2023
